my dog's fitness

I used to walk my dog 4 miles, sometimes with the backpack. He's part lab so he had so much energy that it was good for both of us. It was a cement trail and his feet seemed to be ok. He was always ready to go the next day.

How old is your dog? I've been told that dogs under 1 year old shouldn't be stressed too hard with running or walking with backpacks (since their bones are still developing and you don't really want to put too much strain on them).

That being said, I have three smaller dogs (two beagle-shih tzu mixes and one schnauzer-poodle mix). The bea-tzus are trained to walk / jog on a treadmill (to keep their energy in check) and the schnoodle and one of the bea-tzus have backpacks that they wear when they're walking. I think that it's great that you're walking Lexi and that she's wearing a backpack during the walk! Our dog sitter (who walks the "kids" when we're away on a day trip) has recommended that we don't load the backpacks with more than 1/3 of the dogs' weight (in your case, that'd be just under 17 lbs).

As for the March of Dimes walk, I think that it would be great for you to walk with her. You may be surprised at how willing she'll be to walk with her favorite person! I don't think that the roads and sidewalks will hurt her feet (unless they are super-hot due to sunlight or covered in glass-LOL). I would definitely recommend keeping the backpack on her - it's what she's used to for walks. If you change her routine, she may get a little bit more wound up than you expect and she may end up being harder to handle at the beginning with new people, etc. And DEFINITELY take water for her! You wouldn't go on a 3.5 mile walk without it, would you? So, you may want to actually carry a little bit extra for her.

Yes, dogs do have fitness levels and fitnes level progression, just as humans do. I think you'll be fine with your Lexi on the walk. Between now and then, though, I'd increase the walks a little bit to get her used to a longer time and maybe also walk her on different surfaces so that she doesn't freak out to feel something other than gravel under her feet.

I hope this helps!

Cheers & good luck to you and Lexi!

This is my opinion... My mom works at a vet office and she says that dogs should have some sort of exercise every day even if it's just around the block!

Last night I threw the ball for about 30 minutes with my dog, Bella (she's a 75 pound rottweiler/Shepard). Then took her on a two mile jog. She was tired but I know she could have gone for more (not me.. I was tired!) So I think your pooch will be just fine on 3.5 mi. walk!

Does your dog have it's du-claws (sp?)? This makes it harder on their feet on hard surfaces. My dog never had her's removed but she doesn't act like they hurt. I think she'd let me know if she was uncomfortable... she's kind of a prissy dog!

I need a doggy back pack like what you have!! That is awesome! I'm always trying to juggle too much stuff.

Hope I'm of help to ya!

Also, we always walk on concrete sidewalks, and my dogs' feet always seem just fine.

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First - let me say that your dog is gorgeous! I had to go out and look!
Next - I'm so jealous that you all can take your dogs for serious walks and runs... it's just not in the cards for my dogs.

I have 5 in my house right now... all great dogs and all with their own "issues".
Beanie is my Pitbull/Lab mix - she liked to walk and I can take her with me a lot of the time - but for some reason she HATES white dogs and will attack them - doesn't matter what size... So, when I walk her I have to be hyper aware.
Molly is my Weimaraner - she, typical of Weimy's has ADHD, lol! She has literally pulled my shoulder out of its socket when she lost focus and went to run off in an unexpected direction (rabbit).
Charley is my Beagle/Golden mix and is pretty good on a leash but seems to overheat very easily - he has allergies and other health issues that make it more comfortable for him to exercise closer to home.

Then we have 2 foster dogs that we've had for over a year now...
Rocky - a small lab mix who was bred for research. He spent the first 2 years of his life in a cage. He was not socialized AT ALL. He is scared of everything and though we're working on building confidence... he doesn't do well when he's scared. He spins in circles and will choke himself.
Bella is a Pitbull/Boston Terrier mix - she has the energy/sweetness of the pitbull mixed with the breathing issues of the Boston....

So when we walk... either the dogs can get exercise or I can... not both! Maybe one of these days.....

This is the type of mastiff she reminds me of! Maybe she's part bullmastiff! That's a REALLY amazing breed. They are on my top 10 list of favorites.

Hehe, yeah. Could still be. A lot of the females of this type tend to have more 'feminine' features. Ie, less LIPS! It's the same way with great danes. Well, no matter WHAT she is.. I just want to squeeze her!! She is so adorable.

She looks like a breed that has a fairly high energy level (boxers, shepherds, etc. all have lots)...

3.5 Mi isn't too far and should be just fine for her to walk, endurance wise. I can take my lab on a 2 mi or 5mi walk and he'll come back exhausted either way but he bounces back within an hour so I know he could do even more (if I could).

As far as the ground goes, try walking her on a sidewalk for a bit- doesn't usually bother my dog (Vader), but sometimes if his nails are too long or if there's salt on the sidewalk (shouldn't be a problem this time of year), I have to be careful to walk him mostly on the grassed road allowances.

I'm sorry but the idea of a dog with a backpack on amuses me. Too cute. You have to take a picture of her with it on for me!

I haven't figured out how to post pictures on threads, but if you go to my profile and look at my pictures, I have one of her with her backpack on. :bigsmile: :laugh:

lol, awesome

Beanie is my Pitbull/Lab mix - she liked to walk and I can take her with me a lot of the time - but for some reason she HATES white dogs and will attack them - doesn't matter what size... So, when I walk her I have to be hyper aware.

My dog has sort of the same issue...except Daisy is a black lab/border collie and hates get this - black people...now if only she could look in the mirror and see herself. She also HATES HATES HATES bicycles...and will run after/attack them if possible. Other than that she is a very well trained and well behaved dog.